Suriname conducts minimum wage setting workshop with support from the ILO
ILO supported a request by the Council of Trade Unions (RAVAKSUR) to conduct a workshop on minimum wage setting in the framework of the country’s second Decent Work Country Programme. The workshop took place at the Suriname Labour College (SIVIS) during 7 and 8 December 2022, and brought together fifty participants from trade unions as well as other members of the National Wage Council.
9 December 2022
© Ministry of Labour, Employment and Youth, Suriname
ILO supported a request by the Council of Trade Unions (RAVAKSUR) to conduct a workshop on minimum wage setting in the framework of the country’s second Decent Work Country Programme. The workshop took place at the Suriname Labour College (SIVIS) during 7 and 8 December 2022, and brought together fifty participants from trade unions as well as other members of the National Wage Council.
The issue of minimum wage setting is seen as one of the trade unions priorities and the workshop provided an opportunity to share knowledge and have discussions on the national and international practice.
Speaking in the opening of the workshop, Mr Glen Piroe, representing the Ministry of Labor, Employment and Youth Affairs, emphasized the need to evaluate the existing system and informed the participants of the discussions on the minimum wage legislation that are part of the tripartite dialogue.
On the first day of the workshop Ms Rosalia Vazquez-Alvarez, ILO Econometrician and Wage Specialist, made a presentation on the ILO’s approach to minimum wage setting, concept, definition, purpose, and related international labour standards. This was followed by presentations from national experts and members of the Wage Council as well as group work that allowed the participants an opportunity to discuss their perspectives and develop recommendations. One of the perspectives voiced by all the groups is the need to conduct wage surveys by economic sectors to have more data to make informed decisions.
In his concluding remarks, Mr Robby Berenstein, speaking on behalf of RAVAKSUR, underlined the commitment of trade unions to continued dialogue aiming at developing a sound policy and a culture of minimum wage.
The issue of minimum wage setting is seen as one of the trade unions priorities and the workshop provided an opportunity to share knowledge and have discussions on the national and international practice.
Speaking in the opening of the workshop, Mr Glen Piroe, representing the Ministry of Labor, Employment and Youth Affairs, emphasized the need to evaluate the existing system and informed the participants of the discussions on the minimum wage legislation that are part of the tripartite dialogue.
On the first day of the workshop Ms Rosalia Vazquez-Alvarez, ILO Econometrician and Wage Specialist, made a presentation on the ILO’s approach to minimum wage setting, concept, definition, purpose, and related international labour standards. This was followed by presentations from national experts and members of the Wage Council as well as group work that allowed the participants an opportunity to discuss their perspectives and develop recommendations. One of the perspectives voiced by all the groups is the need to conduct wage surveys by economic sectors to have more data to make informed decisions.
In his concluding remarks, Mr Robby Berenstein, speaking on behalf of RAVAKSUR, underlined the commitment of trade unions to continued dialogue aiming at developing a sound policy and a culture of minimum wage.